Calf-weaner.



M. G. HOOVER.

v UALF WEANER. APPLICATION FILED 13110.17, 1913.

1,125,538, Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

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wi/hwooeo v 5% a NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHOTG-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D. C.

M. 0. HOOVER. (JALP WEANER. AFPLIGATION FILED DEO.17, 1913. 1,125,538 Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

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THE NORRIS PETERS (20., F'HOTO-LITHO., WASHING Hm. I]. C.

MARION C. HOOVER, OF BLAIRSTOWN, IOWA.

GALF-WEANER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 19, 1915.

Applicationfiled December 17, 1913. Serial No. 807,809.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARION C. HOOVER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Blairstown, in the county of Benton and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Calf-Weaner; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a new and useful improved calf weaner, one of the objects of which is to provide means for preventing the calf from nursing the cow.

Another object of the invention is to provide means carried by the weaner for engagingthe cartilage of the nose, which will tend to annoy the calf when he endeavors to nurse the cow.

In practical fields the details of construction may necessitate alterations, to which the patentee is entitled, provided the alterations fall within the scope of what is claimed.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings :Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing the improved weaner or muzzle as applied to a calf. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the weaner detached. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 44 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 66 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 designates a metallic band substantially semi-circular in contour and adapted to fit the head of the calf, between the nose and the eyes, as shown in Fig. 1. Each end of this metallic band is provided with an eye 2 in which a ring 3 is connected. Connected to one of the rings 3 is a strap 4, the end portion of which is adapted to engage a buckle 5 of a short strap 6 carried by the other ring 3. The strap 4 is adapted to engage over the head of the animal behind the ears, and by means of the buckle, the strap may be lengthened or shortened. Also connected to one of the rings 3 is an additional strap 7 engaging a suitable buckle 8, which in turn is carried by a second short strap 9, likewise carried by the other ring. The strap 7 engages under the lower jaw of the head of the animal, and by means of the buckle, the strap 7 may be loosened or tightened.

Secured to the metallic band by means of the nuts and bolts 11 and 12 is a clamping plate 13, the ends of which are provided with grooves 14. These grooves engage the sides of a wire loop 15, thereby holding the loop clamped to the metallic band 1, as

shown, by loosening the bolts and nuts, the

wire loop may be adjusted. The sides 16 of the wire loop are bent laterally as shown at 17, and then bent again at 18, extending forwardly and downwardly and curved into forwardly extending prongs 19, which, when the calf is endeavoring to nurse, contact with the milk pouch or bag of the cow, which will irritate and cause the animal to kick and drive the calf away, in this way weaning the calf. A band 20 is secured to the parts 21 of the sides of the loop by means of the sleeves 22. Riveted or otherwise secured to the band 20 is an angular plate 23. Spaced apart below the plate 23 is a second plate 24, and spaced apart above the plate 23 is a third plate 25 having an upwardly extending bracket arm 26. Bolts pass through the plates 23, 24 and 25 and designated by the numeral 26. Pivoted upon the bolts 26 are the hook jaws 27, which, when closed engage the cartilage of the nose, as shown in the drawings. These hook jaws are arranged between the plates 23 and 24. Interposed between the plates 23 and 25 and threaded upon the bolts are nuts 28, and also threaded upon the bolts above the plate 25 are nuts 29. A pin 30 is mounted in the plates 23 and 25 and is provided with a shoulder 31, which is engaged by a washer 32. The restricted portion of the pin above the shoulder is mounted in the laterally extending part 33 of the bracket arm 26, and is provided with a threaded head 35. A spring 30 is interposed between the washer and the lateral part 33, thereby acting to hold the pin with its lower end seated in the opening 36 of the plate 24. WVhen the pin is so seated and in the path of the projections 37 of the hook jaws, the hook jaws will be held closed. By pulling the pin 30 upwardly out of the path of the projections 37, the hook jaws may be opened. When the hook jaws are in engagement with the cartilage of the nose, the cartilage will be twisted or pressed, when the prongs contact with the cow, in which case the calf will not be so anxious to nurse.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as new and useful is o In combination, a metallic brow band,

means for holding the same on the head of the animal, a clamp having grooves in its ends, means for securing the clamp to the brow band, a wire loop having its sides clamped between the grooves and the brow band, the sides of the wire loop being bent laterally, then downwardly and forwardly, and extending forwardly terminating in prongs, a second band carried by the downwardly and forwardly extending parts of the sides of the loop, supporting plates spaced apart and carried by the second band, hookj awspivoted between two of said supporting plates to engage the cartilage of the nose of the animal, and a spring tensi'oned pin for locking the hook jaws together.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

\ MARION O. HOOVER. Witnesses: 1

AFJFBRYANT, 1 JOHN D. MOELLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

